Fluid dispensing apparatus



July 7,- 1942. v D. BARKER, 2,288,880

FLUID DIsPENsINe APPARATUS Filed May 16, 1940 HG. I.

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Patented July 7, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID DISPENSINGAPPARATUS Virgil D. Barker, Westfield, N. J.

Application May 16, 1940, Serial No. 335,474

1 Claim.

Although not limited to any particular embodiment, my invention may beadvantageously embodied in apparatus for dispensing air at an automobileservice station. At such a station, compressed air is principally usedfor operation of elevators to lift vehicles to permit them to be greasedwith facility; to dispense grease under pressure to the bearings of suchvehicles, and to inflate the vehicle tires. It is ordinary practice tohighly compress air, say to 150 pounds per square inch, by a pumpoperated by an electric motor, and to store it in a supply tank fromwhich it may be released through dispensing apparatus which isadjustable to predetermine the pressure to which any air receiver may becharged. l

Letters Patent of the United States No. 2,162,- 474 was granted June 13,1939, to me for Fluid dispensing apparatus, of the class abovecontemplated and operative to dispense compressed air by a succession ofpulsations until the back pressure through the dispensing conduitreaches that to which the controlling means is adjusted. That apparatusincludes two control valves (shown in Fig. VI) each separately springpressed toward its closed position but adapted to be automaticallyopened, by compressed air operating through lever linkages, to dispensethe highly compressed air in such pulsations, through the dispensingconduit, until the selected pressure, variably predetermined by manualadjustment of a spring, is attained in the tire or other air receiver.In that patented structure the two valves are operated in propersequence by respective rocker cams, in cooperative relation withrespective rocker cam levers, carrying respective rollers, which areindependently spring stressed into cooperative relation with the rockercams. It is the object and effect of my present invention to simplifythe construction, arrangement, and method of operation of that patentedstructure by substituting different actuating means for one of saidvalves, in lieu of the rocker cam, lever, roller, spring, etc., wherebyit is adapted to be actuated in said patented structure; therebyeffecting the elimination of six parts `of the patented valve actuatingmeans, viz., those marked Ila, 48, 56, 56a, 58, and 59, in Fig. III ofsaid patent.

My invention operates in positively controlled cycles of pulsatingcharges of fluid to a receiver; each charge of iiuid being terminated ata regu larly uniform interval after its initiation, independently ofeither the back pressure in the receiver or the fluid resistance in theservice conany appreciableenergy drain from, or reduction in, availablepressure of a fluid to be delivered to the receiver. This isaccomplished by utilizing the energy of the iiuid directly from thesource to furnish power for operating the apparatus,

which fluid is subsequently exhausted to atmosphere.

As hereinafter described, the embodiment of my present inventionillustrated includes two separate and distinct diaphragm chambers eachcontaining a flexible diaphragm, the uid pressure upon which is opposedby separate and distinct springs; one of said diaphragms being subjectedto fluid pressure from the air dispensing conduit and the other of saiddiaphragms being subjected to fluid pressure directly from the supplyreservoir. Moreover, the present invention provides a simplifiedconstruction and arrangement of controlling valve actuating meansoperatively connected with said two diaphragms and their springs foradjustably controlling the dispensation of the fluid. y

My invention comprises the various novel fea tures of construction andarrangement and method of operation hereinafter more definitelyspecified and including a bell signaling device for manifesting eachpulsation of the apparatus during a dispensing operation.

In said drawing,

Fig. I is a rear elevation of a casing, connected with a conduit leadingfrom the fluid supply reservoir and a iiuid dispensing conduit,inclosing the two diaphragms and having, on the front thereof,indicating mechanism, not shown herein,

' including a plurality of adjustable numbered wheels; said casingsupporting the signal bell and means for operating it.

Fig. II is a longitudinal sectional view of the valve casing shown inFig. I.

In said drawing, the main casing l incloses two diaphragm chambers 2 and3, each containing a reciprocatory diaphragm, respectively 4 and 5. Thefluid pressure supply conduit 6 from any suitable source of highlycompressed air, supplies such air to said diaphragm chambers underautomatic valve control, as hereinafter described. The fluid pressureservice conduit 8 leads from said chamber 3 and the compressed air isdispensed through it. For the purpose of servicing and inflatingautomobile tires, said service conduit 8 may have a dispensing hoseconnected therewith having at the end thereof a suitable connector orchuck for convenient attachment to a tire valve stem. Such chuckembodies a spring duit. In addition, my device does not require pressedvalve which closes to prevent air from escaping from the hose when notattached to a tire stem, but is automatically opened and automaticallyunseats the tire valve when the chuck is properly applied to the tirevalve stem.

Said diaphragm 5, which is subjected to the fiuid pressure in saidservice conduit 8 has operatively connected therewith the reciprocatoryplunger II). The bell crank lever II, which is fulcrumed on the shaft I2in bearingsI I3, I3 in said casing I, has its short arm I I incooperative relation with said plunger I I) and has its long arm II"connected with the right hand end of the spring I5. The left hand end ofsaid spring I5 carries the nut IS which is in threaded engagement withthe adjusting screw I'Iv out on the shaft I8 extending exterior to saidcasing l and provided with the crank handle I9 by which it may beadjusted. That is to say, the stress of said spring I5 may be increasedby turning said crank I9 clockwise or decreased by turning itcounterclockwise. Y A Y I iin'd it convenient to connect with said shaftI 8' indicating means for/manifesting in pounds the" pressure of` fluidito be dispensed for which saidl Spring means includes the 'gear pinionZI onl said shaft I8, and the intermediate gear 22 which meshes with theindicator mechanism gear 26. Y

When the cran-k handle I9 is turned by the operator, the gear V26 turnsthe .indicatingmechanism which, as disclosed in detail in my Patent2,162,474 aforesaid, includes' three -wheelse'a'oh having onv itscircumferencea series of numbers fromV 1. to 9 inclusive and 0.. Thefirst of said wheels, which indicates individual pounds, is connected,by tens transfer gearing, with the second Vnumber-ed' wheel each. of thenumbers 'on which represent tens of pounds, and that Ywheel isconnected, by tens transfer gearing, with the third numbered wheel eachof the numbers on which represents hundreds oi pounds. 'That arrangementis such that upon a complete rotation of the successive numbered wheelsvof lower order, the wheel'of the next higher order is turned onetenth"of a revolution. Consequently, when the operatori turns the crank handleI9 the three numbered wheels indicate the pounds pressure to which theapparatus is set by the screw I1 stressing said spring I5 to move saidbell crank lever II. For instance, in the position shown, the screw I Ihas been manually yadjusted to insure dispensation of compressed airthrough the service'conduit 8, to charge an automobile tire or otherreceptacle with a pressure of thirty-five poundsper square in'ch. f

Said supply conduit is connected with the valve casing 43 incommunication with the iiuid passage 4! therein whichconnects with thepar allel iiuid passageways 42 and 43 .in said casing 49. The airconduit "45 extends from said .passageway 42 to the T-fitting 45 whichopens into the diaphragm chamber'2, beneath said diaphragm 4. Saidntting 45' has the vent nozzle 4'5 leading therefrom to the atmosphereand the vent 45athere'through is very much smaller than the crosssectional area of lthe conduit 45 and .passageway 42; .the purpose kofsaid vent being to slowly bleed the fluid pressure from beneath saiddiaphragm 4 whenthe latter is not held up by fluid pressure through saidconduit 45. of the high pressure air `from said supply conduit to saiddiaphragm chamber 2 is controlled by the reciprocatory valve 4t whichmay be opened by the slidably tted push rod l45 vextending `through thebearing 4o on said valve casing 4).

l5' is manually' adj-usted. Such Passage Push rod 43 is pivotallyconnected, by the link` 4l, directly with said bell crank lever long armI I whereby opening movement of said valve 455 is initiated ashereinafter described.

Said diaphragm 4, which is subjected to the high pressure in said supplyconduit S, when said valve 4S is open, has operatively connected terewith the reciprocatory plunger 49. The bell crank lever 5B, which isfulcrumed on the shaft 5I mounted in bearings 52, 52 in said casing I,has its short arm Eli in cooperative relation with said plunger 49 andhas its long arm 50 connected with the left hand end of the spring 54.The right hand end of said spring '54 is corinected with the stationaryanchor stud 55 in said casing I.Y The eiiect of that arrangement is thatthe long arm 50 of said bell crank lever 50 is moved to the'left in Fig.I when said valve 46 is open and the fluid pressure in the diaphragmchamber 2 beneath the diaphragm 4 overcomes thel stressof said spring54, but, when said'valve 46 is closed, that pressure is exhausted'through said vent 45a and the stressy of said spring 54 moves saidVlever 5d clockwise to .the position shown in Fig. I, where itis stoppedby the stop stud 53h fixed in said casing` I.Y

Referring to' Fig. I; high pressure air lis supplied from .said conduit6 to the diaphragm chamber 3 andv service conduit 8 vthrough the supplyconduit 6 which has its upper end connectedv with said valve casing` 4I!in communication with the air passage 4.3, and' has its lower endconnected with the T-tting 8 which is`connected with .said diaphragmchamberl 3 and with saidlservice conduit 8. The pass-age of highpressure air from said supply conduit 6 throughr said passageway 43 tosaid diaphragm chamber 3 and service conduit 8,. is controlled by thevalve. 6I which has .the push rod. 6I extending through the stufiing box4t on lsaid v-alve casing 4i) to openY it and the spring Sla to shutit.Y Said push rodiI is pivotally connected, bythe Vlink 52, with the.rocker cam lever 63 which is mounted, topscillate on the stationaryfulcrum stud 57 xed in said casing I. Said cam lever 6.3*has ,at itsupper end the pointed cam 63 and Vis adapted to be snapped clockwise toopen saidivalve 6I', and to be snapped eounter-clockwise, to permit'saidvalve to close. Such snap action is 'effected by the cam roller 63awhich iscarried'by` thefcam roller .lever A(i5. Said lever 5,5'isYfulcrumed on the stud 53a fixed in the long arm 5t of the lever 5i). Theopposite end of said lever 65 is connected by the spring 66 with theanchor stud 6i! fixed in the lcasing I, to continually'stress said camroller 623a into cooperative relation with VtheV face of said pointedcam 53.

The combined eiect of the two bell crank levers II and their springs I5`and 54, and the lever linkage connecting them in the cooperativerelation above described, is to dispense .he highly compressed air, inpulsations, through the service conduit 8, until'the selected pressure,variably predetermined by the adjustment of said screw I1, is attainedin the tire, or other air receiver, and, with the adjustment indicated,that pressure would be thirty-iiveY pounds per square inch; whereupon,the instantV dispensing opera-tion is automatically terminated.

In order to manifest to the operator the fact when any dispensingoperation is continuing; I nnd it convenient to provide an audiblesignaling device which is sounded at each 'pulsation when said cam 63snaps clockwise. Such a device is shown in Fig. Iincluding the bell 63(which is supported on the standard (t9-fixed on the front of casing I),and the clapper comprising the striker 10 and clapper lever 10', whichlatter is ulcrumed on the stud 1I, which is stationary on the front ofcasing I, as indicated in Fig. I.

Clapper lever 16 normally hangs loosely on stud 1I with its striker 10in spaced relation with bell 68, as indicated in Fig. I, in position tobe operated by the signal crank stud 12 which is xed in rocker cam lever63 and projects through the slot 13 in the front wall of casing I.However, as .roller 63a and spring 66 turn cam lever 63, clockwise inFig. I, each time said valve 46 is opened, by counterclockwise movementof rock lever II, by spring I5; said signal crank stud 12 is carried bythe cam lever 63 to the left in Fig. I and swings said clapper lever andthus strikes the signal bell 68 with the striker 10; thus manifestingeach pulsation of air dispensed. Therefore, when said audible signalceases to sound, the operator is apprised that the instant dispensingoperation is completed by the increment of pressure in the tire or otherair receiver to the pressure for which the apparatus has been set byadjustment of said screw I1.

Referring to Fig. I; the stud 55, xed in casing I, limits the movementof bell crank lever II by spring I5, when the set screw IIb encountersit. The stop stud 16, in casing I, limits the movement of rocker camlever 63, in opening valve 6I.

To facilitate the assembling of valve casing 40 in the casing I, Iprovide the slot 11, extending through valve casing 4U to receive bolt18 iixed in casing I. Said bolt is engaged by nut 18 to hold valvecasing 40 in casing I. As shown in Fig. II the left hand ends of the airpassages 42 and 43 are respectively closed by the screws 80 and 8l andthe latter has the cylindrical ex- Jrension 8| which, as shown in Fig.I, ts in a hole I' in said casing I to insure that said valve casing 40shall be in proper vertical position. Said screws 8I'l and 8| arerecessed to receive the outer ends of said valve springs 46@L and Bla,the inner ends of which are respectively seated in recesses in saidvalves 46 and 6I. Said springs continually tend to close said valvesupon their seats in the casing 40. I prefer to provide a back coverplate I*3L for said casing I, having a slot I6l to guide the stud I6 onthe nut I6 and prevent turning movement of the latter. Said plate issecured by the nut Ib on the threaded end of the stop stud 16,indicated'by dotted lines in Fig. I, and is prevented from turning byengagement of the anchor stud 55 in a hole in said plate.

Said apparatus may be operated as follows: The conduit 8 is connected,conveniently by a hose with a terminal chuck valve, to a tire or otherair receiver containing less than the selected pressure of, say,thirty-five pounds, and air thus allowed to pass from diaphragm chamber3 to such receiver. The air pressure within chamber 3 is thus reduced,and as that pressure approaches said selected pressure, spring I5 drawsthe upper arm II" of bell crank lever II to the left, in Fig. I. Whenthe pressure in diaphragm chamber 3 is thus lowered to thirty-fivepounds, lever arm II has thus moved so far as to open valve 46, bythrusting link 41 and push rod 46' to the left. The highly compressedair is thus allowed to flow from the source through supply conduit 6 andpassage 4I, past valve 46 and through air conduit 45 and T-tting 45'into diaphragm chamber 2, faster than it can escape through therestricted vent 45a, iiexing diaphragm 4 upward and forcing plunger 49to turn bell crank lever 50 counterclockwise against the stress ofspring 54. As the arm 50C' of lever 50 moves-to the left it carries withit the stud 50aand roller lever 65. Consequently, cam roller 63a isdrawn upward along the right hand incline of rocker cam 63'; pressing itcounterclockwise. When roller 63 passes over the crest of rocker cam 63spring 66 snaps roller 63a, by lever 65, downward along the left inclineof cam 63', so as to turn cam lever 63 clockwise and snap link 62 andpush rod 6I and valve 6I to the left, opening valve 6I, until the lowerend of cam lever 63 stops against stud 16. During that movement thesignal is sounded by the crank 12 swinging the clapper lever 10 andringing the bell 68 with the striker 10.

Opening valve 6I allows the highly compressed air to flow from thesupply conduit 6, through passage 43, conduit 6', T-tting 8', conduit 8,hose and chuck Valve, to the tire or other air receiver, and a certainamount of high pressure air also iiows into the chamber 3. After camroller 63a thus passes to the left of the crest on rocker cam, 63'unseating valve 6I; the inicrease in air pressure from fitting 8 intochamber 3 lifts diphragm 5, turns lever II clockwise, withdrawing pushrod 46', by link 41, and thus permits valve 46 to be closed by itsspring 462L to thus stop the ow of compressed air to diaphragm chamber2.

After the valve 46 is closed, air escaping from beneath diaphragm 4through the restricted vent 45a, reduces the pressure beneath thediaphragm 4; thus permitting bell crank lever 50 to be turned clockwiseby the stress of its spring 54. As the latter motion occurs, cam lever65 is thrust to the right, so that cam roller 63a climbs up the lefthand incline of rocker cam 63', pressing cam lever 63 clockwise. Whenroller 63a passes to the right of the crest of cam 63', rocker cam lever63 is snapped counter-clockwise by roller 63a pulled down by spring 66,and valve 6I is permitted to be closed by its spring 6Ia and stops theiiow of air through valve 6I to conduit 6.

If the pressure within the tire is yet less than the selected pressure,pressure within diaphragm chamber 3 will be reduced to below theselected pressure, by escape into the tire, and the cycle abovedescribed will be repeated until the pressure in diaphragm chamber 3 andin the tire and connecting conduits is equalized and then bell cranklever arm II" is held as in Fig. I, preventing another opening ofthevalve 46, and bell 6B is silent, indicating completion of thedispensation. Thereupon, conduit 8 may be disconnected from the tire, orother receiver, leaving the latter charged to `very slightly above theselected pressure. Therefore, in such idle position of the apparatus,both of the valves 46 and 6I are closed and air of not less than theselected pressure is trapped in-the diaphragm chamber 3; so that, whenthe pressure in chamber 3 is permitted to escape, as above'described, orotherwise, a dispensing operation is initiated, by operation ofmechanism including bell crank lever II, and such mechanism exemplifiesthe means for initiating contemplated in certain of the claims. Themechanism including bell crank lever 50 exemplies what is termed incertain of the claims power mechanism.

It is to be particularly noted that, whereas, in my patented apparatusaforesaid, the two valves 4E and 6I are both controlled by meansactuated by the power mechanism lever 59; on the contrary, in thisinvention the valve 46 is controlled entirely independently on? saidlever 50i, and solely by direct connection with the means for initiatinglever Il.

However, I do not desire to limit myself to the specific details ofconstruction, arrangement, or method of operation herein set forth, asit is obvious that various modifications may be made therein Withoutdeparting from the essential features of my invention, as defined in theappended claim.

I claim:

In fluid dispensing apparatus, the 4combination with a conduit adaptedfor connection with a receiver; oi a first valve and a second valve in Ysaid conduit; spring-resisted fluid pressure operating means inoperating relation to said second valve; spring-resisted pressuresensitive means, connected t0 said conduit, including a fluid chamberand a lever connected directly to said first valve which controls thesupply of fluid to the iiuid pressure chamber of said springresisted uidpressure operating means in operating relation to said second valve;means for delaying the closing of said second valve, including a fluidpressure chamber having a restricted vent to atmosphere; and meansconnecting said iluid pressure chamber in controlling relation with saidspring-resisted pressure sensitive means.

VIRGIL D. BARKER.

